Week 6 WR Rankings

How much faith should we have in Dwayne Bowe is Matt Cassel is out for a stretch and Brady Quinn is starting? History tells us, not much, as Bowe struggled to find the end zone with Cassel down last year while Quinn has yet to show much in his career, and likely never will.

Not that the Chiefs had much of a vertical attack with Cassel starting, but with Quinn we should anticipate a dink and dunk offense, as the safety suck up and focus on the short to intermediate routes and the running game.

Bowe should continue to give you around 50 to 80 yards a game while Cassel is out, but because of the situation, he’s nothing more than a WR3 with Quinn throwing the football.

What Did We Learn From Week Five?

- James Jones continues to find the end zone and as long as Greg Jennings is out, we should consider him a weekly WR3 with upside.

- While Aaron Hernandez should be back soon, Wes Welker will be an active receiver in this offense going forward. What looked like a possible bust season to begin the year, now looks like business as usually for the Patriots top possession receiver.

- After all the talk about Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas this off-season, we can officially label Thomas as the top fantasy option. Thomas may have some fumbling issues to clean up, but he’s already a WR1 option and he’s still learning the trade of playing wide receiver, and working with Peyton Manning. He has top five upside not just this season but for as long as Manning is around.

- Domenik Hixon continued to play well filling in for Hakeem Nicks. Trouble for Hixon’s fantasy prospects last week was Victor Cruz hauled in all three of Eli Manning’s touchdowns and the running game ripped through the Browns defense.

Playing against the 49ers this week, the Giants will have to take to the air to win. Based on the 49ers play in recent weeks, we shouldn’t like Hixon’s odds of success, but he’s still a worthy WR3 option.

Sean’s Week Six Watch List

- I’ve been telling fantasy owners to bench Jeremy Maclin in recent weeks. Not a hard sell since Maclin as struggle through most of the season, but if he doesn’t get it done against the Lions this week, we shouldn’t entertain the thought of starting him for awhile.

If you need to put him in the lineup because of bye weeks, he’s a good upside play against a floundering secondary. Have to think he will step up, but he’s mystified me before with poor production in good matchups.

- Stevie Johnson has struggled in recent weeks, but expect him to get back on track against the Cardinals. Arizona has struggled against the pass, so Johnson should be good for at least six receptions and a score.

- Sidney Rice has struggled to do much for fantasy owners. That said, even Rice should have WR3 value against the Patriots defense this week.